AWKA: The Anglican Diocese of Awka has absolved its Archbishop, His Grace, The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, of alleged financial misconduct following an emergency sitting of the Diocesan Board.
At the meeting held on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the Diocesan Retreat and Resource Centre, Okpuno, the Board dismissed reports suggesting that the Archbishop diverted land-sale proceeds into his private account.
The petition, filed by Prince Bonti Echezona Onuigbo through his lawyer, Chief Tagbo Ike, SAN, accused the Archbishop of siphoning more than ₦752 million from the sale of church lands and of laying off over 1,000 workers.
But in a unanimous decision, the Board declared the allegations “false, baseless, and aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Church and the Archbishop.”
Ven. Samuel Okonkwo, Archdeacon of St. Faith Cathedral, Awka, challenged the credibility of the petitioner, stating that Onuigbo was not a registered member of the Cathedral nor a recognized stakeholder in the Diocese.
“Internal matters of the Church must be raised by those who are truly part of its life and witness,” Ven. Okonkwo said.
On land sales, the Board clarified that transactions were done in line with Synod resolutions.
Prof. Emma Ezenwaji, President of the Diocesan Council of Knights, recalled that he first moved the motion in 2015 to classify certain diocesan properties as “Investment Property.”
According to him, the proposal was formally approved in 2017 and reflected in the Synopses of the Awka Diocesan Synods of 2016 and 2018.
“The process was open, debated, and unanimously endorsed by Synod,” he explained, stressing that the Archbishop never acted unilaterally.
Supporting testimonies came from Sir Arc. Okey Chukwuogor and Clerical Synod Secretary, Ven. C. C. Mgbemena, who confirmed the resolutions were binding. In a vote, 64 members affirmed that they were present when the policies were passed.
The financial team of the Diocese also cleared the Archbishop. Treasurer, Prof. Clifford Nwanna, and Financial Secretary, Mrs. Lovelyn Umeh, stated emphatically that “all proceeds from land sales were duly paid into the Diocesan account,” and provided financial documents as evidence.
Similarly, Ven. Jason Onyeakagbusi, Secretary of the Land Committee, testified that his committee maintained “comprehensive records of all diocesan lands” dating back to the late Archbishop M. S. C. Anikwenwa, describing the fraud allegations as “false and mischievous.”
On the claim that Dr Ibezim retrenched over 1,000 staff, Ven. B. K. Ofili countered that the opposite was the case.
“Under the Archbishop’s leadership, the Diocese has established new institutions that created jobs rather than eliminated them,” he said.
He cited the establishment of Paul University, Awka; the Archbishop Alexander Ibezim College of Education, Nibo-Nise; Millennium College of Nursing Sciences, Awka; Renaissance Modern Polytechnic, Mbaukwu; as well as several new schools.
Ven. Ofili further noted that Archbishop Ibezim actively encouraged clergymen to pursue higher studies.
“Today, Awka Diocese has the highest number of PhD holders in the Church of Nigeria. This is not retrenchment; this is empowerment,” he stressed.
After lengthy deliberations, the Diocesan Board declared the petition both unfounded and politically motivated.
“The petition letter constitutes a false allegation aimed at tarnishing the good image of His Grace, The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD, and ridiculing the reputations of the Diocese and the Church of God,” the Board resolved.
A senior lay member affirmed after the meeting: “The integrity of the Church remains intact. We stand firmly behind our Archbishop.”
With the Board’s vote of confidence, Archbishop Ibezim emerges cleared of all allegations, as the Awka Diocese reiterated its commitment to evangelism, education and service.
